Lymphatic Massage For Healing: What You Need To Know
Lymphatic massage is quickly growing in popularity due to its healing properties. This type of massage focuses on the lymphatic system, which is an important component of your immunity. The goal of lymphatic massage is to help the body find balance, improve immune functions, and improve blood circulation. If you are considering lymphatic massage, you need to know the following:
What Is the Lymphatic System?
The lymphatic system is made up of nodes, vessels, proteins, water, and waste. The lymphatic system is throughout your entire body and helps to filter the bad things out. The biggest lymph nodes are in the armpits, groin, and neck. These lymph nodes work in concert with each other to help clean out the system and make sure your blood is clean as it travels through your veins.
Lymphedema is the swelling in the legs or arms and is due to lymph fluid that collects in the body. The fluid collects after an injury, surgery, infection, and other disorders.
How Does Lymphatic Massage Help?
The traditional treatment of lymphedema is pressure dressings such as bandages or compression socks or stockings. You can still utilize this technique but adding lymphatic massage will provide you with more benefits.
You will visit a massage therapist who specializes in lymphatic massage. They will utilize a series of massage techniques, such as gliding, cupping, and stretching to stimulate the lymphatic system. The therapist will not press hard, so the treatment should never be painful. These stimulating motions help move the lymph fluid through the tissue and lymph nodes to prevent them from getting trapped and collecting in your body.
What Are Some Common Ailments Treated by Lymphatic Massage?
There are many conditions in which lymphatic massage can expedite your healing. A mastectomy, for instance, is a common surgical procedure that often results in lymphedema. A lymphatic massage can help move the fluid that gathers in the chest area and out of the body. Arthritis is another issue that can benefit from lymphatic massage. The buildup of fluid in the joints can be removed more quickly with massage techniques. Those who have fibromyalgia can also benefit from lymphatic massage, as this is a condition of the nerves of the skin. Massage can help ease the inflammation caused to the skin and surrounding tissues.
If you think you would like to add lymphatic massage to your treatment regimen for your illness, consult with your physician to make sure it is a viable option for you.
